When is the Best Time to Hire a Chimney Sweep in Indianapolis?
Regular home maintenance is paramount. Many aspects of your Indianapolis, IN, home may need attention, but don’t let your chimney fall too far down on your list of priorities. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends an annual service performed by a certified chimney sweep. This service removes creosote buildup from your chimney keeping it functioning properly, safely and efficiently. Many homeowners know they need to have their chimney swept each year, but are unsure of what time of year to schedule an appointment. Here are some guidelines. Read more
5 Issues Commonly Identified During a Chimney Sweep and Inspection
Your chimney is a vital part of your Indianapolis, IN, home. It provides a way for you to heat your home and vent some of your appliances. The fireplace also adds timeless aesthetic appeal to the inside of your home. Chimneys require regular maintenance to function safely, efficiently and properly. Brick + Ember Outfitters (B+E) recommends an annual chimney sweep and inspection to ensure your home’s chimney functions to the best of its ability. Numerous problems can arise from your chimney should you let it fall into disrepair. Here are five common issues often found during a chimney sweep. Read more
What Exactly Does a Chimney Sweep Do?
If you own a Indianapolis, IN, home with a chimney, you may know that most chimney care companies recommend having a certified chimney sweep come to your home annually for an inspection and professional cleaning. At Brick + Ember Outfitters (B+E), we concur with this consensus. An annual chimney inspection and sweep will keep your chimney functioning correctly, safely and efficiently. With that said, we wanted to demystify what exactly a chimney sweep does. That way you can understand the importance of having your chimney serviced each year. Read more
How to Prepare Your Indianapolis Home for a Chimney Sweep
As a Indianapolis, IN, homeowner, you know the importance of preparation. The last house project you did by yourself, whether it was touching up the paint on the trim of your house or adding a new garden in your backyard, took a little planning and preparation. The early steps of any project can make all the difference. When you hire a certified chimney sweep, you shouldn’t have to do much. However, there are some simple steps you can take that will ensure the chimney sweep can do his or her job without running into issues. Read more
Can You Use a Chimney Sweeping Log Instead of a Chimney Sweep
A chimney sweeping log or a creosote sweeping log doesn’t do the same thing as a certified chimney sweep. It would be nice if you could pick up one of these logs at the hardware store or supermarket for your Indianapolis home and keep your chimney clear of creosote buildup. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. The Chimney Safety Institute of America states that chemical cleaners like chimney sweeping logs need to be used in addition to service from a qualified professional.Read more
How to Hire a Certified Chimney Sweep for Your Indianapolis Home
Your fireplace and chimney need regular inspections and periodic repairs to function safely and efficiently, like all aspects of your home. A neglected fireplace and chimney can cause a myriad of issues, and some issues can be dangerous. Hiring a certified chimney sweep each year is one of the best ways to keep your chimney in pristine condition. Anyone can do a quick Google search to find a company in Indianapolis willing to sweep your chimney, but you need to make sure its the right company before making the call. Here are some steps to take. Read more
How To Prepare for an Open House
Getting ready for an open house is incredibly stressful. Preparing to display your house to potential buyers, while still living in that house, can feel like an endless struggle. Throw some kids and pets into the mix, and the task becomes near impossible. To help you out, we’ve broken down a checklist of tasks, counting down to the big day. Just pencil these into your planner, and you will be open house ready in no time.Read more
What is Tuck Pointing and Why is it Necessary?
It’s no wonder that masonry is a favorite construction method among builders and homeowners: masonry is beautiful, versatile and durable. However, to ensure that durability, masonry structures must be periodically maintained. In particular, masonry mortar is vulnerable to elements. Over the years, harsh winter weather and precipitation can penetrate and weaken the mortar joints of masonry. Tuck pointing repairs this damage and prevents this deterioration.Read more
Choosing the Right Liner for Your Chimney
The chimney liner, though sometimes overlooked, is essential to the proper functioning of your chimney. Chimney liners serve two key purposes: they transfer combustion byproducts to the outside air and protect chimney walls from heat and corrosive damage. An ineffective, or nonexistent, chimney liner can be dangerous and cause serious issues for your home, including draft problems, condensation problems, poor appliance performance, carbon monoxide problems and presenting a fire hazard. Read more
Meet Tyler!
Tyler Funk joined Brick + Ember Outfitters last year and immediately demonstrated an interest in expanding his masonry knowledge and skillset. Today, he's a chimney outfitter and part of our production department. Tyler shows a high level of responsibility on every project, and his finished work consistently surpasses the expectations of homeowners.